Surgical apparatus with conductor strain relief

ABSTRACT

A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,727, filed Feb. 15, 2016, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/121,049 filed Feb. 26, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical apparatus having an articulating tool assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a surgical apparatus including a strain relief for relieving strain on electrical connections between a body of the surgical apparatus and the tool assembly during articulation of the tool assembly.

Background of Related Art

Surgical apparatus for operating on tissue are well known in the art and typically include a powered handle assembly, a body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly supported on the distal end of the body portion and being articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes first and second jaws which are movable in relation to each other between unapproximated and approximated positions. In surgical stapling apparatus, the first jaw supports an anvil assembly and the second jaw supports a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may be replaceable to permit reuse of the tool assembly during a surgical procedure. The replaceable cartridge assembly may be provided in a variety of configurations for use on tissue having different properties, i.e., thickness, density. For example, the different cartridge assemblies may have staples of different sizes and/or the staples may be arranged in different configurations.

Many cartridge assemblies include an identification chip that is electrically coupled to the handle assembly by a conductor extending through the body portion of the surgical stapling apparatus to ensure the handle assembly is programmed to operate with the attached cartridge assembly. During articulation of the loading unit, the conductor extending through the body portion to the tool assembly may experience strain. To prevent damage to the conductor connecting the handle assembly to the tool assembly during articulation, it would be beneficial to provide an electrical conductor with a strain relief.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a body portion having a proximal end and a distal end and includes a connection assembly supported on the proximal end. The surgical apparatus further includes a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the body portion and being articulable relative to the body portion, the tool assembly including an identification assembly. In addition, the surgical apparatus includes an electrical conductor extending from the connection assembly to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.

In embodiments, the strain relief portion includes a plurality of coils. A height of the plurality of coils may decrease from a proximal portion of the plurality of coils to a distal portion of the plurality of coils. Alternatively, the height of the plurality of coils is uniform from a proximal portion of the plurality of coils to a distal portion. The plurality of coils may be equally spaced relative to each other.

In some embodiments, he body portion defines a channel for receiving the electrical conductor. The channel may include a central portion for receiving the strain relief portion of the electrical conductor. The surgical apparatus may include a powered handle assembly and the electrical conductor electrically couples the identification assembly to the handle assembly. The tool assembly may include a stapling assembly. The stapling assembly may include a removable cartridge assembly. The electrical conductor may include a flexible cable. The flexible cable may include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the flexible cable may be axially affixed to the body portion, for example, using adhesive.

In embodiments, the strain relief portion is configured to permit lengthening of the electrical conductor. Alternatively, or in addition, the strain relief portion is configured to permit shortening of the electrical conductor. The body portion, the tool assembly, and the electrical conductor may form a loading unit which is configured to be releasably coupled to a powered handle assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side, perspective view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical stapling apparatus including a tool assembly in an approximated position;

FIG. 2 is a side, perspective view of a disposable loading unit of the surgical stapling apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, perspective view of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with parts separated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side, perspective view of a mounting assembly and a firing lockout assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 2, with parts separated;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a proximal end of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side, perspective view of the proximal end of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with a upper housing half removed;

FIG. 8 is a side, perspective view of an identification assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with parts separated;

FIG. 9 is a side, perspective view of the identification assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector assembly of the identification assembly shown in FIG. 8 and a proximal end of a channel member of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with parts separated;

FIG. 11 is an alternative perspective view of the connector assembly and channel member shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a side, perspective view of a chip assembly of the identification assembly shown in FIG. 8 secured to a cartridge body of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is perspective end view of a cartridge assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 including the chip assembly shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side, perspective view of the cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 14 being loaded into the loading unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with an anvil assembly removed;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism and a mounting assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with parts separated;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a latch member of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a bottom, perspective view of the locking mechanism and the mounting assembly shown in FIG. 18 and distal end of a drive assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is a side, cross-sectional view of the distal end of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 20 and the latch member shown in FIG. 19 in a first or unlocked configuration;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of the distal end of the drive assembly and the latch member shown in FIG. 21 in a second or locked configuration;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 23-23 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a side, perspective view of the locking mechanism and the drive assembly shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 26 is a side, cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a top view of a tool assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 with the anvil plate removed;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a proximal end of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 27 in a first articulated position;

FIG. 29 is a side, perspective view of a cartridge assembly of the loading unit shown in FIG. 2 and a shipping wedge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a bottom, perspective view of the shipping wedge shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a side, perspective view of a loading unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, including a flexible cable; and

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of the flexible cable of the loading unit shown in FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In this description, the term “proximal” is generally used to refer to the portion of the apparatus that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is generally used to refer to the portion of the apparatus that is farther from the clinician.

As a tool assembly of a surgical apparatus is articulated, any cables extending from the body portion to the tool assembly experience strain, i.e., compression or tension. During articulation of the tool assembly, the strain experienced by the cable or cables may damage the cables or cause the cables to become detached. The embodiments of the present disclosure address providing a strain relief for relieving the strain experienced by the cable or cables during articulation of the tool assembly.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical apparatus shown generally as surgical stapler 10. Although illustrated as a surgical stapler, the apparatus may include other types of end effectors including forceps, retractors, clip appliers or the like. The surgical stapler 10 includes a powered handle assembly 12, a body portion 14, and a loading unit 100. Handle assembly 12 and body portion 14 are configured to effect operation of loading unit 100. For a detailed description of the structure and function of handle assembly 12 and body portion 14, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0253329 (“the '329 publication”), the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Although loading unit 100 is shown and described as being selectively secured to body portion 14 of surgical stapler 10, it is envisioned that loading unit 100 can be supported directly on the distal end of the body portion 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the loading unit 100 includes a proximal body portion 102 and a tool assembly 104. A mounting assembly 170 is secured to the tool assembly 104 and is pivotally coupled to the proximal body portion 102 of the loading unit 100 to pivotally secure the tool assembly 104 to the proximal body portion 102. The loading unit 100 is substantially as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0098965 (“the '965 publication”) except that the firing lockout mechanism has been changed, and components for cooperating with a powered handle assembly, i.e., an identification assembly and a flexible cable, and a shipping wedge have been added. The '965 publication is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Accordingly, the components of the loading unit 100 which are common to those which are disclosed in the '965 publication, will only be briefly described herein. In contrast, the components which are newly presented herein, including a connection assembly 190 (FIGS. 5-7), an identification assembly 200 (FIGS. 8-17), a firing lockout assembly 220 (FIGS. 19-28), a shipping wedge 300 (FIGS. 29 and 30), a flexible cable “R2” (FIGS. 31 and 32) and their methods of operation will be described in detail herein.

With reference to FIG. 3, the proximal body portion 102 of the loading unit 100 includes an upper housing half 110 a and a lower housing half 110 b which are contained within an outer sleeve 112. The upper housing half 110 a defines a recess 111 a for receiving a first end of a first coupling member 114 a and the lower housing half 110 b defines a recess 111 b for receiving a first end of a second coupling member 114 b. When the outer sleeve 112 is positioned about the upper and lower housing halves 110 a, 110 b, the first and second coupling members 114 a and 114 b are retained within the respective recesses 111 a, 111 b by the outer sleeve 112.

The proximal end of the upper housing half 110 a includes engagement nubs 116 for releasably engaging the distal end of the body portion 14 (FIG. 1) of the stapling apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) in a bayonet-type coupling arrangement. The upper and lower housing halves 110 a, 110 b each define a channel 113 a, 113 b, respectively, for slidably receiving a drive member 182 of a drive assembly 180, as will be described in further detail below. An articulation link 118 is slidably positioned between the upper and lower housing halves 110 a, 110 b and is adapted to engage an articulation mechanism (not shown) of the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1) to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly 104 in relation to the proximal body portion 102. A pair of blow out plate assemblies 120 a, 120 b are positioned adjacent the distal end of the upper and lower housing halves 110 a, 110 b to prevent outward buckling and/or bulging of the drive member 182 during articulation and firing of the tool assembly 104.

A channel 117 extends the length of upper housing half 110 a for receiving a conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon or cable “R1” or wires. As will be described in further detail below, electrical ribbon “R1” electrically couples a connection assembly 190 disposed in a proximal end of the proximal body portion 102 of the loading unit 100 with an identification assembly 200 (FIG. 8) disposed within the tool assembly 104 of the loading unit 100. A more detailed description of the components of the proximal body portion 102 is provided in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,924 (“the '924 patent”) the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the tool assembly 104 includes an anvil assembly 130 and a replaceable cartridge assembly 150 which are movable in relation to each other between unapproximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly 130 includes an anvil body 132 and an anvil plate 134 which is secured to the underside of the anvil body 132 to define a channel 131 (FIG. 24). A proximal end of the anvil body 132 includes a bracket 132 a defining a hole 133 for receiving a cylindrical pivot member 172 a of an upper mounting portion 172 of a mounting assembly 170. The anvil plate 134 defines a longitudinal slot 135 which is dimensioned to slidably receive a portion of the working end 184 of a drive member 182 as will be discussed in further detail below. A tissue contacting surface 134 a of the anvil plate 134 defines a plurality of staple receiving depressions (not shown).

The cartridge assembly 150 includes a support plate 152, cartridge body 154, a plurality of staples “S”, and a staple firing assembly 160 that includes an actuation sled 162 and is further described below. The cartridge assembly 150 is receivable in a jaw member 156. The cartridge body 154 and the support plate 152 are attached to the jaw member 156 by a snap-fit connection as described in the '965 publication which has been incorporated herein by reference. Other forms of connection are contemplated and can be used in place of the snap-fit connection or in addition thereto.

The jaw member 156 is pivotally secured to the anvil body 132 by pivot pins 138 which extend through openings 139 formed in the anvil body 132 and openings 151 formed in the jaw member 156. The cartridge body 154 defines a longitudinal slot 153 a and a plurality of laterally spaced staple retention slots 153 b which are positioned in alignment with the staple receiving depressions (not shown) in the tissue contacting surface 134 a of the anvil plate 134. An actuation sled 162 is configured to translate through the cartridge body 154. The longitudinal slot 153 a of the cartridge body 154 receives a projection 162 a formed on the actuation sled 162 to guide the actuation sled 162 through the cartridge body 154. The cartridge body 154 includes a detent 154 a (FIG. 14) extending within the longitudinal slot 153 a which are received in the recesses 163 a (FIG. 14) formed on the projection 162 a of the actuation sled 162 to secure the actuation sled 162 in place during shipping of the cartridge assembly 150. Each retention slot 153 b receives a fastener or staple “S” and a pusher 164. The actuation sled 162 is positioned within the cartridge body 154 to pass longitudinally through the cartridge body 154 into engagement with the pushers 164 to sequentially eject the staples “S” from the cartridge body 154. The cartridge body 154 further includes a pair of tissue stop members 154 b (FIG. 14) which prevent tissue (not shown) from being positioned proximally of the staple retention slots 153 b. For a more detailed discussion of the cartridge assembly 150 including the support plate 152, see the '965 publication which has been incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting assembly 170 includes the upper and lower mounting portions 172, 174 and a retention blade 176. As shown, the upper and lower mounting portions 172, 174 are secured together by the posts 178 that extend from the upper mounting portion 172. Each of the upper and lower mounting portions 172, 174 includes a pivot member 172 a (FIG. 3) and 174 a (FIG. 4), respectively. As described above, the pivot member 172 a on the upper mounting portion 172 is received within the hole 133 (FIG. 3) of the bracket 132 a of the anvil body 132 to secure the upper mounting portion 172 to the anvil body 132. The first coupling member 114 a (FIG. 3) of the proximal body portion 102 has a second end which defines an opening 115 a which also receives the pivot member 172 a. The pivot member 174 a on the lower mounting portion 174 is received in an opening 115 b of the second coupling member 114 b (FIG. 3) of the proximal body portion 102. The pivot pins 138 which secure the anvil body 132 to the jaw member 156 extend through the openings 139 formed in the anvil body 132 and the openings 151 formed in the jaw member 156 and are received in the openings 173 formed in the lower mounting portion 174 to secure the lower mounting portion 174 to the jaw member 156 (FIG. 3). The lower mounting portion 174 defines a slot 177 for receiving the retention blade 176. As will be described in further detail below, retention blade 176 includes a curved distal facing surface 176 a (FIG. 4) and a pair of limiting members 176 b (FIG. 4).

The drive assembly 180 includes the drive member 182 having a body and a working end 184. The working end 184 includes an upper flange 186 a, a lower flange 186 b, a vertical strut 186 c interconnecting the upper flange 186 a and the lower flange 186 b, and a knife 187 supported on or formed into the vertical strut 186 c. The upper flange 186 a is positioned to be slidably received within the channel 131 (FIG. 24) of the anvil assembly 130 and the lower flange 186 b is positioned to be slidably positioned along an outer surface 156 a (FIG. 24) of the jaw member 156. In use, distal movement of the drive member 182 initially advances the upper flange 186 a into a cam surface 134 b formed on the anvil plate 134 and advances the lower flange 186 b into engagement with a cam surface 156 b formed on the jaw member 156 to pivot the cartridge assembly 150 towards the anvil assembly 130 to the approximated or closed position. Continued advancement of the drive member 182 progressively maintains a minimum tissue gap between the anvil assembly 130 and the cartridge assembly 150 adjacent the working end 184 of the drive assembly 180 as the working end 184 moves through the tool assembly 104.

The distal end of the body of the drive member 182 supports the working end 184 of the drive member 182 and defines a stop surface 184 a. The actuation sled 162 (FIG. 3) is disposed within the cartridge assembly 150 (FIG. 3) at a position distal of the working end 184. When the working end 184 is in its proximal-most position and the tool assembly 104 is in the open or unapproximated position (FIG. 24), the sled 162 and the working end 184 are in their initial position. The sled 162 includes a plurality of cam surfaces 166 a which are positioned to engage and lift the pushers 164 within the staple retention slots 153 b of the cartridge body 154. The pushers 164 (FIG. 3) are positioned within the cartridge assembly 150 to eject the staples “S” from the cartridge body 154 when the sled 162 is advanced through the tool assembly 104. The proximal end of the sled 162 includes one or more fingers 166 a which define an opening or slot 163 (FIG. 4) which will be described in further detail below.

In certain embodiments, the body of the drive member 182 is formed from a plurality of stacked sheets 182 a-d of material, e.g., stainless steel. A locking member 188 (FIG. 3) is supported about the proximal end of the loading unit 100 to prevent axial movement of the drive member 182 until the loading unit 100 is attached to the stapling apparatus 10 (FIG. 1). A more detailed discussion of the above-identified components of the loading unit 100 is described in the '924 patent which has been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, a connection assembly 190 is supported on a proximal end of the upper housing half 110 a of the proximal body portion 102 of the loading unit 100 and provides an electrical connection between the loading unit 100 and the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1). The connection assembly 190 includes a connector housing 192, a contact member 194, and an electronic chip 196. The contact member 194 includes a pair of contact portions 194 a that are received within the recesses 193 of the connector 192. The contact portions 194 a are positioned to engage corresponding contact portions (not shown) of a contact member (not shown) disposed within the elongate body 14 (FIG. 1) of the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1). The contact member 194 includes a connector portion 194 b that extends between the contact portions 194 a. As described above, a conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon or cable “R1” or wires, extends through the proximal body portion 102 of the loading unit 100 and into the tool assembly 104 to electrically couple the connection assembly 190 with the identification assembly 200 (FIG. 8).

During attachment of the loading unit 100 to the elongate body 14 (FIG. 1) of the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1), the contact portions 194 a of the contact member 194 of connection assembly 190 are positioned to engage the contact portions (not shown) of a connector assembly (not shown) supported within a distal end of the elongate body 14 (FIG. 1) of the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1). Engagement of the contact members 194 a of the connection assembly 190 with the contact members of the connector assembly of the surgical stapler 10 connects the identification assembly 200 (FIG. 8) of the loading unit 100 with the handle assembly 12 (FIG. 1) of the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1). As noted above, the loading unit 100 may be attached to the elongate body 14 with a bayonet coupling or in any other suitable manner.

With reference now to FIGS. 8-17, the identification assembly 200 of the loading unit 100 includes a connector assembly 202 and a chip assembly 212. The connector assembly 202 includes a connector housing 204. A tab 204 b and a protrusion 206 b extend outwardly from the connector housing 204. The tab 206 a is received within an opening 157 a (FIG. 10) in the jaw member 156 of the tool assembly 104 to align the connector housing 204 with the jaw member 156 and the protrusion 206 b is received within an opening 157 b (FIG. 10) in the jaw member 156 to secure the connector assembly 202 to the jaw member 156. The connector housing 204 receives a distal end of the conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon “R1” (FIG. 11) that extends from the connection assembly 190 (FIG. 6) to electrically communicate the contact member 194 of the connection assembly 190 (FIG. 7) with first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b. In embodiments, electrical ribbon “R1” is soldered to the first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b and the connector housing 204 is molded about the distal end of the electrical ribbon “R1” and the first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b to secure the electrical ribbon “R1” with the first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b. The contact members 206 a, 206 b extend distally from the connector housing 204 when the connector housing 204 is secured to the jaw member 156.

The chip assembly 212 includes a chip housing 214 and an identification chip 218. A projection 214 a extends from the chip housing 214 and is received within a recess 155 (FIG. 12) formed in a proximal end of the cartridge body 154 (FIG. 12) of the cartridge assembly 150 to secure the chip assembly 212 to the cartridge body 154. The chip assembly 212 further includes first and second contact members 216 a, 216 b that extend from the chip housing 214 and communicate with the identification chip 218.

The first and second contact members 216 a, 216 b engage the respective first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b of the connector assembly 202 when the cartridge body 154 is received within the jaw member 156 (FIG. 16). In embodiments, and as shown, the first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b of the connector assembly 202 and first and second contact members 216 a, 216 b of the chip assembly 212 are supported on the connector housing 204 and the chip housing 214, respectively, in a cantilevered fashion to permit a snap engagement between the first contact members 206 a, 216 a and between the second contact members 206 b, 216 b. The first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b of the connector assembly 202 and the first and second contact members 216 a, 216 b of the chip assembly 212 may include a substantially spherical shape to facilitate engagement between the connector assembly 202 and the chip assembly 212.

The identification chip 218 may include any commercially available chip capable of storing information including specifications of the cartridge assembly 150, e.g., cartridge size, staple arrangement, staple length, clamp-up distance, production date, model number, lot number, expiration date, etc., and transmitting at least some of the information to the handle assembly 12 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the identification chip 218 includes an erasable programmable read only memory (“EPROM”) chip. In this manner, the configuration of an attached cartridge assembly 150 may be relayed to the handle assembly 12 such that, for example, the firing forces and/or the length of the firing stroke of the handle assembly 12 may be adjusted to accommodate the particular cartridge assembly 150. It is envisioned that instead of an EPROM, the identification chip 218 may be a read/write memory chip, such as read/write RAM, such that data may be written onto the identification chip 218. For example, usage information may be written onto the identification chip 218 that identifies that the loading unit 100 has been fully or partially fired to prevent reuse of an empty or partially fired loading unit, or for any other purpose.

With particular reference to FIGS. 16-18, as the cartridge assembly 150 is received within the jaw member 156 of the loading unit 100, the first and second contact members 216 a, 216 b of the chip assembly 212 engage the first and second contact member 206 a, 206 b of the connector assembly 202. Once the first and second contact members 216 a, 216 b of the chip assembly 212 are engaged with the respective first and second contact members 206 a, 206 b of the connector assembly 202, information stored on the identification chip 218 of the chip assembly 212 may be relayed to the handle assembly 12 upon connection of the loading unit 100 to the body portion 14 of the surgical stapler 10. As described above, the identification assembly 200 is connected to the surgical stapler 10 (FIG. 1) via a conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon or cable “R1” (FIGS. 7 and 11) extending through the loading unit 100 and by the connection assembly 190 (FIG. 6) which is disposed within a proximal end of the loading unit 100.

The firing lockout assembly 220 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 18-28. The firing lockout assembly 220 is substantially similar to the firing lockout assembly described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/230,516 (“the '516 application”), filed Mar. 31, 2014, and will only be described in detail with reference to the differences therebetween. Accordingly, the content of the '516 application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The firing lockout assembly 220 includes a latch member 222 which is pivotally supported on a distal end of the lower mounting portion 174. The latch member 222 includes a U-shaped body (FIG. 19) having a proximal base member 224 and two spaced distally extending legs 226. As shown, the base member 224 is provided with a blocking member 224 a which defines a blocking surface and is welded or secured to the base member 224 to provide additional support to the base member 224. Alternatively, the base member 224 and the blocking member 224 a are integrally or monolithically formed. The latch member 222 is pivotal from a first position (FIG. 21) to a second position (FIG. 22). In the first position shown in FIG. 21, the blocking member 224 a of the latch member 222 is aligned with the stop surface 184 a of the drive member 182 to prevent advancement of the drive member 182 within the tool assembly 104. In the second position shown in FIG. 22, the blocking member 224 a is misaligned with the stop surface 184 a of the drive member 182 to permit advancement of the drive member 182 within the tool assembly 104.

With particular reference to FIGS. 18-20, each of the legs 226 of the latch member 222 has a centrally located pivot member 228 and an abutment surface 230. The pivot members 228 are supported on hooked arms 174 b (FIG. 20) of the lower mounting portion 174 of the mounting assembly 170 to pivotally support the latch member 222 on the lower mounting portion 174. A biasing member includes a pair of springs 232 (FIG. 18) which is supported within respective bores 175 a (FIG. 18) formed in a distal face of the lower mounting portion 174 to urge the latch member 222 towards the first position. Each of the springs 232 is positioned to engage a nub 230 a formed on the respective abutment surfaces 230 of the latch member 222 to bias the latch member 222 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 24. A distal end of each of the legs 226 includes a downwardly extending projection 234 which is positioned to extend through an opening 163 (FIG. 20) defined in the sled 162 when the sled 162 is in a retracted position, the latch member 222 is in the first position and the anvil assembly 130 and the cartridge assembly 150 are in an approximated position.

A pair of springs 236 is positioned between the inner surface 156 b (FIG. 10) of the jaw member 156 and a respective bore 175 b (FIG. 20) defined in a bottom surface of the lower mounting portion 174 to urge the tool assembly 104 to the unapproximated position (FIG. 2). The jaw member 156 includes a pair of cylinders 158 (FIGS. 10 and 11) for engaging springs 236.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, when the drive member 182 is in the fully retracted position and the tool assembly 104 is in the unapproximated or open position, the upper and lower flanges 186 a, 186 b of the working end 184 of the drive member 182 are spaced proximally of the sled 162 and proximally of cam surfaces 238 a, 238 b formed on the anvil plate 134 and the jaw member 156, respectively. In the unapproximated position of the tool assembly 104, the latch member 222 is urged towards a counter-clockwise position by springs 232. The lower mounting portion 174 includes a surface 240 which is positioned to engage the base member 224 or blocking member 224 a. Engagement between the blocking member 224 a and the surface 240 of the lower mounting portion 174 prevents further counter-clockwise rotation of the latch member 222 to retain the latch member 222 in the first position. As shown in FIG. 25, the blocking member 224 a engages a gusset 174 c of the lower mounting portion 174 to prevent distal movement of the latch member 222 when the firing lockout assembly 220 is in the locked configuration.

The operation of the firing lockout assembly 220 is described in detail in the '516 application. Briefly, during firing of the loading unit 100, the latch member 222 of the firing lockout assembly 220 is pivoted about the pivot members 174 b of the lower mounting portion 174. As described above, the retention blade 176 is received within slot 177 in the lower mounting portion 174. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the curved surface 176 a of the retention blade 176 accommodates the arcuate motion of the blocking member 224 a of the latch member 222 to prevent proximal movement of the latch member 222 during firing of the loading unit 100. Proximal movement of the latch member 222 could cause the pivot members 228 to separate from the hooked arms 174 b of the lower mounting portion 174. Separation of the latch member 222 from the lower mounting portion 174 during firing of the loading unit 100 may result in misfiring of the loading unit 100 and/or prevent the firing lockout assembly 220 from functioning properly.

Prior to firing of the loading unit 100, the tool assembly 104 may be articulated relative to the proximal body portion 102. During articulation of the tool assembly 104, limiting member 176 b of retention blade 176 engages the second coupling member 114 b which extends from the proximal body portion 102 of the loading unit 100 to limit the articulation of the tool assembly 104 relative to the proximal body portion 102.

With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, the shipping wedge 300 of cartridge assembly 150 is configured to maintain staples “S” (FIG. 3) within staple retention slots 153 b of cartridge body 154 and prevent actuation of tool assembly 104 of loading unit 100 prior to removal. The shipping wedge 300 includes an elongate body 302 defining an elongate recess 303 (FIG. 30) along a bottom surface of the elongate body. A flange 304 extends from within the elongated recess 303 and includes a plurality of protrusions 304 for securing flange 304 within elongate slot 153 a (FIG. 14) of the cartridge body 154 (FIG. 29). A proximal end of the elongate body 302 includes a raised portion 306 (FIG. 29) configured to prevent approximation of the cartridge assembly 150 (FIG. 2) towards the anvil assembly 130 (FIG. 2) once the cartridge assembly 150 is loaded within the jaw member 156 (FIG. 2) of the tool assembly 104 and prior to removal of the shipping wedge 300. A distal end of the elongate body 302 includes a projection 308 which is positioned and configured to be grasped by a clinician to facilitate separation of the shipping wedge 300 from the cartridge assembly 150. A plurality of tabs 310 extend from the elongate body 302 for engaging the cartridge body 154 of the cartridge assembly 150 to releasable secure the shipping wedge 300 to the cartridge body 154 of the cartridge assembly 150.

With reference now to FIGS. 31 and 32, a loading unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as loading unit 400. The loading unit 400 is substantially similar to the loading unit 100 described hereinabove and will only be described as relates it to the differences therebetween.

The loading unit 400 includes an electrical conductor, i.e., a flexible cable or ribbon “R2”, for electrical coupling the connection assembly 190, disposed on a proximal end of the proximal body portion 402 of the loading unit 400, with an identification assembly 200 (FIG. 8), disposed within the tool assembly 304 of the loading unit 400. The flexible cable “R2” includes a strain relief portion including a plurality of coils “c”. As shown, the flexible cable “R2” includes seven (7) coils “c” of decreasing height from a proximal portion of the flexible cable “R2” to a distal portion of the flexible cable “R2”. It is envisioned that flexible cable “R2” may include more or less than seven (7) coils “c” and/or that the height of the coils may increase from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Alternatively, the heights of the coils “c” may be uniform or vary in a random or uniform manner. Although shown as having uniform spacing between the coils “c”, it is envisioned that the spacing between the coils “c” may be different.

During articulation of the tool assembly 404 of the loading unit 400 relative to the proximal body portion 402 of the loading unit 400, the flexible cable “R2” experiences strain. The strain experienced by the flexible cable “R2” is a result of the distance between the connection assembly 190 proximal body portion 402 and the identification assembly 200 disposed within the tool assembly 404 changing as the tool assembly 404 articulates relative to the proximal body portion 402. In particular, the distance between the connection assembly 190 and the identification assembly 200 increases as the tool assembly 404 articulates in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “D” in FIG. 31, and the distance between the connection assembly 190 and the identification assembly 200 decreases as the tool assembly 404 articulates in a second direction, as indicated by arrow “E” in FIG. 31.

The coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” allow the flexible cable “C” to have a variable length by deforming in response to a strain on the flexible cable “C”. In particular, when tension is applied to a distal end of the flexible cable “R2”, as indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 32, flexion of each coil “c”, as indicated by arrows “a₁” in FIG. 32, and/or outward flexion of the coils “c” relative to each other, as indicated by arrows “a₂” in FIG. 32, permits the flexible cable “R2” to lengthen, thereby relieving the strain on the flexible cable “R2”. When compression is applied to the flexible cable “C”, as indicted by arrow “B” in FIG. 32, inward flexion of each coil “c”, as indicated by arrows “b₁,”, and/or inward flexion of the coils “c” relative to each other, as indicted by arrows “b₂” in FIG. 32, permits the flexible cable “R2” to shorten, thereby relieving the strain on the flexible cable “C”.

The proximal body portion 402 of loading unit 400 includes an upper housing half 410 a and a lower housing half 410 b. A channel 417 extends a length of upper housing half 310 a and receives the flexible cable “R2”. The channel 417 includes proximal and distal portions 417 a, 417 b for receiving the proximal and distal portions of the flexible cable “R2”, and a central portion 417 c for receiving the coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” and accommodating the flexion of the coils “c” when the flexible cable “R2” is experiencing strain.

The flexible cable “R2” extends the length of the proximal body portion 402 of loading unit 400 and into the tool assembly 404 of loading unit 400. The flexible cable “R2” electrically couples the connection assembly 190 disposed with the proximal body portion 402 of the loading unit 400 with the identification assembly 200 (FIG. 8) disposed within the tool assembly 404 of the loading unit 400. The flexible cable “R2” may be loosely received within the channel 417 to permit longitudinal movement of the flexible cable “R2”. In one embodiment, the proximal end of flexible cable “C” is axially fixed within the proximal portion 417 a of the channel 417 using, e.g., adhesives, over-molding.

As described above, the flexible cable “R2” extends between a proximal end of the body portion 402 of the loading unit 400 and the tool assembly 404 of the loading unit 400. During articulation of the tool assembly 404 of the loading unit 400 relative to the proximal body portion 402 of the loading unit 300, a strain, i.e., tension or compression, is experienced by the flexible cable “R2”. In particular, articulating of the tool assembly 404 relative to the proximal body portion 402 in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “D” in FIG. 31, creates a pulling force on distal end of the flexible cable “R2”, as indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 32, and articulating of the tool assembly 404 relative to the proximal body portion 402 in a second direction, as indicted by arrow “E” in FIG. 31, creates a pushing force on the distal end of the flexible cable “R2”, as indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 32. To accommodate the strain experienced by the flexible cable “R2” during articulation of the tool assembly 404, and thereby prevent breaking and/or buckling of the flexible cable “R2”, as described above, the coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” are configured to flex individually, and relative to each other. As the coils “c” flex outwardly, the flexible cable “R2” stretches, and as the coils “c” flex inwardly, the flexible cable “R2” compresses. Return of the tool assembly 404 to the non-articulated position causes the coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” to return to the non-strained configuration.

Although shown and described as being incorporated into the loading unit 400, it is envisioned that the flexible cable “R2” may be incorporated into any device having an articulating tool assembly and requiring electrical coupling of the articulating tool assembly to a handle assembly.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical apparatus comprising: an elongate body having proximal and distal portions; a first connector disposed within the proximal portion of the elongate body; a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the tool assembly being articulable relative to the elongate body between a first articulated position and a non-articulated position; a second connector disposed within the tool assembly; and a conductor electrically coupling the first connector and the second connector, the conductor having a first effective length when the tool assembly is in a first articulated position, and a second effective length when the tool assembly is in the non-articulated position, the first effective length being longer than the second effective length.
 2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor includes a strain relief portion configured to adjust in length during articulation of the tool assembly relative to the elongate body.
 3. The surgical apparatus of claim 2, wherein the strain relief portion includes a plurality of coils having a proximal portion and a distal portion.
 4. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein a height of the plurality of coils decreases from the proximal portion of the plurality of coils to the distal portion of the plurality of coils.
 5. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein a height of the plurality of coils is uniform from the proximal portion of the plurality of coils to the distal portion.
 6. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of coils are equally spaced relative to each other.
 7. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate body defines a channel for receiving the conductor.
 8. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channel includes a central portion for receiving the strain relief portion of the conductor.
 9. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, further including a powered handle assembly, the conductor electrically coupling the second connector to the powered handle assembly.
 10. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes a stapling assembly.
 11. The surgical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the stapling assembly includes a removable cartridge assembly.
 12. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor includes a flexible cable.
 13. The surgical apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flexible cable includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the flexible cable being axially affixed to the body portion.
 14. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor is affixed to the elongate body with adhesive.
 15. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strain relief portion is configured to permit lengthening of the conductor.
 16. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strain relief portion is configured to permit shortening of the conductor.
 17. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate body, the tool assembly, and the conductor are formed as a loading unit configured to releasably couple with a powered handle assembly.
 18. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool assembly is articulable to a second articulated position opposite the first articulated position.
 19. The surgical apparatus of claim 18, wherein the conductor includes a third effective length when the tool assembly is in the second articulated position, the third effective length being longer than the second effective length and shorter than the first effective length. 